In commemorating the twentieth anniversary of the EJ Executive Order, a call was made in 2014 to lift up the accomplishments and milestones of the Environmental Justice Movement over the past five decades 1964-2014. A lot has happened since February 2014. That’s why we are now collecting environmental justice accomplishments, victories, news, celebrations and important events for the period 2014-2016 for an update of the EJ Milestones.

For example, in March 2015, the nation commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Selma March or “Bloody Sunday.” The same year, Dumping in Dixie, the nation’s first environmental justice book published in 1990, tuned 25 amid rising income and racial inequality. Race is the “elephant in the room” when it comes to the growing inequality gap.

Clearly, in 2016 we still need to focus on environmental justice and shine a spotlight on environmental racism now more than ever. The Flint water crisis unfolding before our eyes today provides a textbook case for why we must build justice and equal protection into environmental decision making. The Flint disaster was caused by government officials placing profit over people. It’s time for justice in Flint. The NAACP has offered a 20-point plan to address the disaster. Flint is not an isolated case as much of America still has the “wrong complexion for protection.”

In 2016, we have an opportunity to commemorate and celebrate some important environmental justice milestones and work on finishing other struggles. An important struggle is underway to save Mossville, Louisiana, a 225 year old black community founded by former slaves, that’s now threatened to be wiped off the map by a giant South African chemical plant. More than a dozen chemical plants encircle this tiny black community and have stolen the residents’ health. And now an unfair industry buyout is threatening to steal their wealth, their homestead and their history.

This year also marks the 150th Anniversary of the Turkey Creek, MS community, a community founded in 1866 by former slave. Turkey Creek and North Gulfport residents face a range of environmental, health and economic challenges, including flooding, industrial encroachment, discriminatory land use planning and zoning, and unsustainable infill development of the Turkey Creek watershed. The “battle for Turkey Creek” is an American community’s quest for justice. It is ironic that Mossville and Turkey Creek founders survived slavery, the Civil War, Reconstruction and Jim Crow segregation but their descendants today may not survive the assaults of toxic racism. It’s time to stand with Mossville, Turkey Creek and other endangered communities. Black health, Black communities and Black lives matter.

Dr. Robert Bullard is the lead author and principal investigator on several new book projects and research undertakings that address environmental health, energy, transportation, climate justice, and racial equity.

Further

Academics are increasingly, ingeniously fighting back against an Orwellian "Professor Watchlist" aimed at exposing "radical" teachers. The list has inspired online trolls to name their own suspects - Albus Dumbledore, Dr. Pepper, Mr. Spock - and a Watchlist Redux to honor not trash targets from Jesus to teachers daring to "think critically about power." Now 100 Notre Dame professors have asked to join the list in solidarity, proclaiming, "We wish to be counted among those you are watching."